14 Amazing Health Benefits Of Macadamia Nuts.

Being from the Proteaceae family of plants, the trees can reach as much as 40 feet in height. The leaves are elliptical and usually arranged in whorls of three to six. The flowers are slender and about 10 inches long. Macadamia nuts are extremely hard and woody. They have a pointed apex and contain one or two seeds. And yes, the nuts do have a piece of history. What Is The History Of Macadamia Nuts. Here’s some trivia. It was the German-Australian botanist Ferdinand von Mueller who gave the genus the name Macadamia way back in 1857. The name was in honor of John Macadam, a Scottish-Australian chemist, politician, and medical teacher. In the late 1800s, the macadamia seedlings were introduced to Hawaii, and it was not until the 1970s that the macadamia nut industry in Australia began to flourish. Flourish. There is a reason these nuts flourished at all in the first place. And before we get into the details, let’s take a look at the most important health aspects of these nuts – or why these nuts are considered healthy. What Makes Macadamia Nuts Healthy. These nuts contain some of the most important essential vitamins and minerals – some of which include vitamin A, B vitamins, iron, folate, manganese, protein, healthy fats, and the all-powerful antioxidants. They are also rich in oleic acid and omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acid, which is the very same fatty acid found in olive oil. Not just these. There are numerous other nutrients these nuts contain. Macadamia Nuts Nutrition Facts. Macadamias are a rich source of Vitamin A, iron, protein, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and folates. They also contain moderate amounts of zinc, copper, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium. Macadamia contains antioxidants like polyphenols, Amino acids, flavones, and selenium. It is also a good source of carbohydrates like sucrose, fructose, glucose, maltose, and some starch-based carbohydrates. One ounce of raw macadamia nuts (about 28 grams) contains 201 calories. It contains 21 grams of total fat, of which just 3 grams are saturated fat. The nuts contain no cholesterol and negligible amounts of sodium. Other important nutrients in an ounce of the nuts include: 2 milligrams of manganese (58% DV). 3 milligrams of thiamine (23% DV). 2 milligrams of copper (11% DV). 4 grams of fiber (10% DV). 37 milligrams of magnesium (9% DV). 1 milligram of iron (6% DV). 53 milligrams of phosphorus (5% DV). 1 milligrams of vitamin B6 (4% DV). 2 grams of protein (4% DV). These nutrients make macadamia nuts healthy. But what do we mean by healthy? Hard to explain until we look at the benefits. What Are The Benefits Of Macadamia Nuts. Being rich in fiber and other minerals like magnesium and potassium – these nuts improve heart health. They help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. The fiber in these nuts also aids in diabetes treatment. And the antioxidants rejuvenate your skin and hair. 1. Promote Heart Health. Studies have shown that people consuming a diet high in macadamia nuts have the same amounts of cholesterol as those on a low-fat diet. Macadamia nuts are also rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, which can make platelets less sticky and less likely to form clots in blood vessels. This prevents heart attack or stroke. Another report by the American Heart Association states that men whose diets included a large quantity of nuts had a decreased risk of death by heart disease. This is because the monounsaturated fats in nuts (including macadamia nuts) can improve lipid blood profiles. The nuts are also believed to lower blood pressure – thereby contributing to heart health. Certain sources attribute this quality of macadamia nuts to their potassium content. 2. Improve Blood Sugar Levels. Nuts, in general, are known to relieve the impact of certain health issues that come along with diabetes. This statement is further proved by a Canadian study – which talks about how tree nuts (including macadamia nuts) can improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Macadamia nuts have a unique profile of macro and micronutrients and other bioactive compounds that help improve blood sugar levels and counter the ill effects of diabetes. Another report suggests that though macadamia nuts have fats, they are okay to be consumed during diabetes. As these nuts contain monounsaturated fatty acids, they help lower bad cholesterol.